harridan

American  

[hahr-i-dn] / ˈhɑr ɪ dn /

noun

1. a scolding, vicious woman; hag; shrew.

   Synonyms:

   scold, virago, nag

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harridan British  

/ ˈhærɪdən /

noun

1. a scolding old woman; nag

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Etymology

Origin of harridan

1690–1700; perhaps alteration of French haridelle thin, worn-out horse, large, gaunt woman (compared with the initial element of haras stud farm, though derivation is unclear)

Explanation

You might call the old lady next door who yells at you to stay off her lawn a harridan. When you see the word harridan, think of the Wicked Witch of the West — a mean-tempered, sharp-tongued old woman. Calling an older, bossy woman a harridan is certainly not a compliment, although most harridans — aside from your strict old scold of an English teacher — probably won't be familiar with the somewhat obscure term. It comes from seventeenth century slang, probably stemming from the French word haridelle, or "old horse."

Example Sentences

The hard edges that painted Sylvie as a harridan boss and villain of the series have steadily softened, though never dulled completely.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 21, 2022

And there’s no denying the subversive frisson inspired by watching actresses go full harridan, especially when it comes to traditional ideas about female agency and the approving male gaze.

From Washington Post • Mar. 15, 2018

Even now our image of Crawford is shaped by Faye Dunaway’s shrieking harridan in “Mommie Dearest” as opposed to Crawford’s Academy Award-winning work in “Mildred Pierce.”

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2017

At Goodspeed, Kristine Zbornik, as Albert’s comic harridan of a smothering matriarch, just about stops the show with her rendition.

From New York Times • Aug. 12, 2016

"They call me Mistress Semele," said the harridan.

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman